Company Information

The National Forest Company leads the creation of The National Forest, a new, wooded landscape for the nation across 200 square miles of central England. The National Forest Company was established by Government in April 1995. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The National Forest Company:

Attracts and uses resources for ambitious and imaginative Forest creation that is sensitive to the landscape and environment.

Provides the setting for new businesses, recreation, tourism and an improved quality of life

Enhances wildlife and biodiversity.

The National Forest Company leads through working partnerships with landowners, businesses, public, private and voluntary organisations and local communities to fulfil the shared vision for the Forest. It promotes the widest possible participation in and enjoyment of the Forest.

As the Forest matures, the Company promotes at international, national and local levels the experience and knowledge emerging from this inspiring and ambitious project.

The Business Plan 2014-15

The implementation of the 2014-2024 Strategy for The National Forest begins with the Business Plan for 2014-15. Through the Business Plan, new ways will be tested to generate income for the Forest, doing even more in managing the woodlands and evolving how the Company is organised for the future. Key priorities to make the most of the green investment created so far and secure it for future generations are set out as follows:

An investment programme for the visitor economy, the woodland economy and skills and employability.

200 landowners involved in learning how to look after their woodlands.

500 hectares of woodland brought into management.

A new programme for community engagement.

The National Forest Company to become a charity as well as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The Woodland Trust has made improvements to Foxley Wood, one of its key woodlands in The National Forest, close to the village of Linton, in South Derbyshire. Trees have been thinned and undergrowth removed, and local users of the wood are already benefiting from the work which was carried out with assistance from the National Forest Company (NFC).

New CEO at the National Forest Company, John Everitt discusses how The National Forest pioneered the use of the environment at a landscape scale to lead social and economic regeneration, and now is the time to take the business community on a similar journey. "We can demonstrate that the Forest can also be an exemplary business development project, investing in our natural capital while improving the local economy."